Approval rates
The approval rates for Shiva Bozarth are calculated based on 2,995 decisions on record since August 2016. When comparing these figures to the broader bench at the Fresno hearing office, the 6 judges whose most recent office on record is this one range from 36% to 72% on their since-2016 records. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Bozarth's docket. Annual rates fluctuate with the mix of cases SSA assigns; the longer-run pattern is more informative than any single year.
Decision pattern
Since August 2016, Shiva Bozarth has maintained a steady approval pattern across 2,995 decisions on record. While yearly fluctuations occurred, the rate has remained consistent with the overall average. The most recent reporting period shows an approval rate of 73%, which is higher than the historical average on record. This recent uptick reflects the latest data from the July 2026 reporting period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Bozarth's bench. Judge-specific preparation guidance requires a corpus of public Appeals Council decisions involving each judge, which we haven't built yet.
- Bring a clean treating-physician record. Longitudinal primary-care or specialist notes spanning the disability period, with consistent symptom documentation, are typically the strongest evidence at hearing. A single month's records usually aren't enough.
- Don't rely on consultative exams alone. If your medical evidence is built primarily around a one-time CE finding, expect detailed questioning. Supplement with treating-source statements where possible.
- Prepare for daily-activity questions. Have honest, specific answers about a typical day. Answers that conflict with the medical record (in either direction) tend to hurt credibility.
- Expect transferable-skills probing. A vocational expert will usually testify about jobs available to someone with your limitations. Your representative should be prepared to cross-examine.
About the Fresno hearing office
Shiva Bozarth's most recent office on record is the Fresno hearing office, as of July 2026. This office serves claimants in the California region and maintains a bench of 6 judges. The office-wide approval rate in the latest reporting period was 66%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Fresno
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 6 judges whose most recent office on record is the Fresno hearing office. Approval rates across this bench range from 36% to 72% since 2016. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
Approval rates change with a lawyer
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.
Frequently asked questions
Shiva Bozarth has an approval rate of 63% across 2,995 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 36% to 72% range observed among the 6 judges whose most recent office on record is the Fresno hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how your case evidence aligns with these local patterns.
The approval rate for Shiva Bozarth has remained relatively steady since 2016, though the most recent reporting period shows a rate of 73%. This is a shift from the historical average of 63%. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might impact your hearing strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is vital to be prepared for any judge on the bench. An attorney can help you prepare your case for this specific judge.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical and vocational evidence. You will likely answer questions about your work history and daily limitations. Having an attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare testimony to present your case effectively.
